Emergency numbers in Istanbul
When it is serious, every minute counts. This page gives you the one number you need – and the words to use if you do not speak Turkish.
- Free of charge – from any mobile, even with no credit
- Works without a SIM card and without your own network coverage
- Answered around the clock in English, German, Arabic and Russian
- One number for everything – you will be transferred
What to say if you do not speak Turkish
Stay calm and take one breath. Name your language first, then the service, then your location:
“Hello, I need to speak English, please. I need an ambulance.”
“Hello, English please. I need the police.”
Give your location: Read the street name from the nearest sign, or name the closest landmark (“near Galata Tower”, “in Sultanahmet, next to Hagia Sophia”). Open your maps app and read out the address.
When it is not an emergency
157 – YİMER
The foreigners’ help line of the migration authority: entry, residence, visa and legal questions. Also the contact point for victims of human trafficking.
24/7 · Turkish, English, German, Arabic, Russian
Call 157 →Tourism Police
Sultanahmet has a dedicated police unit for international visitors – responsible for reports after theft or fraud. If you are in danger, always call 112 first.
On site in Sultanahmet
Your consulate
For a lost passport, arrest or serious distress, your country’s mission can help. Most countries maintain a consulate general in Istanbul – save its number before you travel.
Practical help from us
Questions about tickets, routes or your booking? Message us in English or German and we reply personally. We are not an emergency service: if you are in danger, call 112 first.
Message us on WhatsApp →The five most common situations
My passport is gone
Report the loss to the police first – you will receive a report your consulate needs. Then contact your consulate general in Istanbul and apply for an emergency travel document. A copy or phone photo of your passport plus a passport photo will speed things up. Allow at least one working day and inform your airline.
My phone or wallet was stolen
Block your cards first by calling your bank’s hotline. Then file a police report – no insurer pays without one. Your mobile provider can block the SIM. Pickpocketing in Istanbul happens mainly in crowds: the T1 tram, the bazaars and queues at the major sights.
The taxi is charging far too much
Insist on the meter; fixed prices without prior agreement are not permitted. Photograph the licence plate and the taxi number on the door. Pay only the metered amount. If you feel threatened: 112. Prevention: ride-hailing apps or a transfer booked in advance at a fixed price avoid the argument entirely.
I need a doctor
If life is at risk: 112 – the ambulance comes regardless of your insurance. For lighter cases, private hospitals have English-speaking and sometimes German-speaking doctors. Important: keep every invoice and report – your travel insurance only reimburses with documentation. Without insurance you pay privately.
I have run out of money
Have money sent from home by instant transfer or a cash transfer service; payout points exist across Istanbul. If that is not enough, your consulate can help in genuine distress – usually as a repayment agreement, not a gift. Your hotel will normally store luggage free of charge until you have a solution.
Want more background? Our detailed guide to emergency numbers in Istanbul in the magazine explains every contact in depth.